Lamborghini Urus concept previews Italy's most athletic SUV

By
Greg Kable

Apr 22, 2012

Following years of internal studies and widespread speculation about a third model line, Lamborghini has finally settled on an SUV: a 600-hp beast previewed by the Urus concept at the Beijing motor show.

In keeping with Lamborghini tradition, the Urus is named after a famous bull, also known as aurochs; the Spanish-bred urus is considered a wild ancestor of today's domestic bull. The Urus presages a spiritual successor to one of Lamborghini's most controversial models, the low-volume LM002, a rough-hewn military-grade pickup, which was produced between 1986 and 1993. The Urus, on the other hand, is intended to sell in much higher numbers.

Annual production of 3,000 copies is expected by Sant'Agata insiders, a figure that would instantly double Lamborghini's yearly sales, providing a basis for long-term profitability and further growth. A production version of the four-seat concept flaunting a similarly flamboyant exterior design but somewhat toned-down interior is expected to join the Aventador and a successor to the Gallardo in an expanded Lamborghini lineup in 2016. The price is expected to top $200,000 in North America.

"Having three sources of primary income

is clearly better than two," Lamborghini chief executive Stephan Winkelmann said. "Our studies have shown that nearly all existing Lamborghini owners also have a sport-utility vehicle in their garage, so in this respect, we consider it the perfect extension to our existing supercar business."

Lamborghini has evaluated other third-model-line options, including a sedan previewed by the arresting Estoque concept first wheeled out at the 2008 Paris motor show. The Estoque "was placed on hold because of a number of reasons, including the lack of a suitable platform," Winkelmann said.

The heavily sculptured body is carbon fiber for the concept but likely would use a mixture of carbon fiber and aluminum in production. It incorporates four conventional front-hinged doors and an angled tailgate that opens to reveal an adequate if not exactly commodious trunk. The Urus, with the internal Lamborghini code name LB736, was conceived to sit on the same all-wheel-drive underpinnings as future incarnations of the Audi Q7, the Bentley EXP 9 F, the Porsche Cayenne and the Volkswagen Touareg.

Lamborghini isn't saying much about the proposed engine for its new SUV, only using the 600-hp output as a guidepost. The ute at the China motor show is a running prototype, although the final engine hasn't been specified.

Autoweek has learned that Lamborghini expects to give the production version of the Urus a modified version of parent company Audi's new turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 direct-injection gasoline engine in combination with an electric motor that has plug-in capability. Power likely will be channeled through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and a torque-sensing four-wheel-drive system with an electronically operated torque-vectoring system.

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